Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel

Last updated: October 9, 2026

Short answer: the Skullcandy Barrel. It ranks #55 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.2/5) at $157.47 and is still sold new; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #86 (rated 2.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Turtlebox Gen 2’s replacement, the Turtlebox Gen 3, is rated 2.1/5 at $430.

Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel

The Turtlebox Gen 2 is the longer-running pick. Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 12 for the Skullcandy Barrel. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.

The Skullcandy Barrel is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. Its bass reaches about 50Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 2. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox Gen 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.

Buy the Skullcandy Barrel. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Turtlebox Gen 2 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check Skullcandy Barrel price at Amazon ($157.47) →

Specifications Side By Side

Turtlebox Gen 2 Skullcandy Barrel
Price$400 Discontinued$157.47
Ranked#86 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#55 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputYesYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)~65Hz~50Hz
Battery Life25 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67IP67
MicroSD PlaybackYes-
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight10 lbs (4.54 kg)11.9 lbs (5.4 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
AppNoYes (Skullcandy app)
EQNoYes (App EQ)
TWSYesYes
Party ModeNoNo
Power BankYes (USB-C)No
USB PlaybackNoNo
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
Power InputDC Barrel Connector (15V/3A)USB-C
Bluetooth Version5.05.3
Amplifier Power50W60W
Dimensions12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm)11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm)
Drivers1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter2x 20mm drivers
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNo-
Battery Capacity85Wh-
Charging Time3 hours-
Microphone InputYes (3.5mm)-
Maximum SPL104dB (measured by Outeraudio)104dB (Manufacturer specified)
FM Tuner-No
Lights-Yes
Check Skullcandy Barrel price at Amazon ($157.47) →

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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Speakers In Full

Turtlebox Gen 2: $400 Discontinued eBay

Turtlebox Gen 2 ranking card

Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5, released Feb 2025. It adds party mode.

Older model: the Turtlebox (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.

Pros: Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. An 85Wh battery rated for 25 hours at low volume and about 6 at full volume, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and 3.5mm microphone inputs, and stereo pairing with a second Gen 2. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The nearly identical Turtlebox Gen 3 measured a V shaped tuning, with boosted lows and highs and dipped mids, yet bass only down 10dB at about 65Hz, and only about 12W RMS from its amp; Turtlebox rated this one at just 50W. Outeraudio found its balance and treble middling, with slight harshness at higher volumes, and it rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges only from its own barrel plug adapter, not USB-C, and has no app, EQ or party mode. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.

Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →

ReleasedSep 2022 (4 years ago)
Amplifier Power50W
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)~65Hz
Battery Capacity85Wh
Battery Life25 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Charging Time3 hours
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm)
Drivers1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL104dB (measured by Outeraudio)
MicroSD PlaybackYes
Microphone InputYes (3.5mm)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputDC Barrel Connector (15V/3A)
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight10 lbs (4.54 kg)
Search eBay for Turtlebox Gen 2 →

Skullcandy Barrel: $157.47 Amazon eBay

Skullcandy Barrel ranking card

Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.

Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →

Amplifier Power60W
AppYes (Skullcandy app)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)~50Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm)
Drivers2x 20mm drivers
EQYes (App EQ)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP67
LightsYes
Maximum SPL104dB (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight11.9 lbs (5.4 kg)
Check current price at Amazon ($157.47) →Search eBay for Skullcandy Barrel →